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GERMAN GRAMMAR · C1

German collocations: Bedenken äußern, Kritik üben and precise word choices

Learn a word together with its partners and complements. Bedenken äußern voices reservations; Bedenken ausräumen removes them. Antworten auf and beantworten can concern the same question but require different grammatical constructions. A natural phrase still needs to express the intended meaning.

Distinguish natural combinations with different meanings

A collocation exercise should not imply that every alternative verb is ungrammatical. Bedenken äußern, Bedenken ausräumen and Bedenken zerstreuen are conventional combinations, but voicing concerns is different from removing them.

Die Expertin äußert Bedenken gegen den Vorschlag.

The expert voices reservations about the proposal.

Change the construction when the verb requires it

Auf die Frage antworten uses a prepositional complement. Die Frage beantworten takes the question as its direct accusative object. Adding auf to the second construction does not preserve the first verb’s grammar correctly.

Die Sprecherin beantwortet die Frage.

The spokesperson answers the question.

Taking a position is not necessarily agreeing

Zu einem Vorschlag Stellung nehmen can introduce criticism, support or a qualified response. Einem Vorschlag zustimmen specifically expresses agreement. Preserve this distinction when summarising someone’s reaction.

Der Verband nimmt zu dem Vorschlag Stellung.

The association states its position on the proposal.

Practise this pattern

The matching block includes guided questions, a separate mastery check and spaced review. The first 10 blocks and two samples at each higher level are free; other blocks require course access or an eligible seven-day trial. These tasks practise specific grammar patterns and do not certify a complete language level.

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References

Original explanations and examples informed by grammar references. Level placement is an editorial teaching choice.